Good Friends Bar — Restaurant in New Orleans

Actually we wanted to find a smallish off the beaten path near Bourbon after we had left another restaurant/ bar...it was late so I knew the choices would be few, however I saw Good friends shortly after driving into Quarter and it looked as if it wasn't completely deserted yet not crowded certainly at that hour in the a.m. I found a parking spot right away and was happy about that because I really needed the rest room ! However, I am not the greatest at parallel parking especially tight spots, but a nice guy guided me into the spot in no time ..super friendly!! I got a kick out of the restroom situation. I believe they were probably going to close shortly as soon as the place cleared out, but I didn't feel at all rushed and the music playing was upbeat and had it not been so late/ early, I would have been dancing on the dance floor. So I asked the bartender where the restroom was and he handed me a key with a bejeweled commode seat, real one- folks with the little key attached. I was cracking up and asked my friend that I was with to take a photo, but it turned out to be a blur of just about every color of the rainbow.. Met a really nice person in there and we started chatting and time sort of got away from me and the conversation was do interesting that I know I was in there way too long.. I had made my friend worry about me...I ordered a beer, that I didn't really want or need but my roomie needed another so I felt like Zit was the polite thing to do everyone was very b friendly and we left shortly . I would go back there again because I liked the atmosphere, service, music and variety of eclectic...

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. Definitely Don’t go here for after hours. Not sure about regular times. The bar tender is rude. Music was horrible. Music was then off for a period of time. Silent. Had to ask multiple times. Where is the music. Then when was turned on it was horrible music selection. Asked the bartender to change music multiple times. Then we even tried to offer him a tip to change the music to get the vibe of the bar going and positive but the Bar tender said this is his play list and he plays what he likes. Bar tender, Chris with longer mullet green hair and painted finger nails. When asked if he is catering and serving himself or the customers, he said you’re not a customer yet, you haven’t bought a drink yet. Which definitely didn’t make us want to purchase anything. As a patron at a bar, you don’t go in, buy a drink, then feel the vibe. You feel the vibe, then buy drinks and stay. And then when the music did change. It went from hip hop to rock and roll to alternative rock to jazz, to hard metal rock to the most random songs. Not a good vibe at all for whatever state of mind or mood you’re in. Terrible. Then asked again to please change the music after buying drinks and bartender again said he could change it but said he’s not going to because we didn’t buy anything. Which was incorrect. Our group did buy drinks. Other people/ groups asked for music change and bartender still refused. Elie is a very nice guy. And was very kind and accommodating to our requests But he was not on shift. Great guy. Chris needs a...

I’ve been coming to Good Friends for years, and it’s always been my favorite bar in New Orleans. The draw wasn’t just the atmosphere or the drink, it was the music and videos. This was the place where you could count on hearing a perfect blend of current hits alongside timeless classics, paired with fun and nostalgic videos that made every visit feel like a true New Orleans experience. Sadly, that has all changed. On recent visits, the heart of the bar has been replaced by nothing but relentless techno music. Instead of the joyful, diverse soundtrack that once defined the space, we’re now subjected to an endless stream of generic beats that feel completely disconnected from the bar’s spirit. The screens that once lit up the night with iconic videos now feel irrelevant, and with them, the energy and cultural vibrancy that made Good Friends so special has slipped away. This shift feels like a cultural oversight that robs patrons of what made this place unique. Countless loyal guests—myself included—are left disappointed and hopeless, wondering why management abandoned a formula that worked so well. In a city known for its music, where culture and community thrive on variety and connection, it’s disheartening to see Good Friends turn away from what made it beloved. Unless this changes, I fear many longtime supporters will start looking elsewhere for the kind of experience that Good Friends used to provide so effortlessly. The bartenders are perfect, but management is the worst. Booooo, tomato,...